Why was 1994 so great? Look at the artists who had debut major-label albums that year: OutKast, Nas, Notorious B.I.G., Warren G, Weezer, Dave Matthews Band, Ben Harper, Usher, Soul Coughing, Korn, Bush, Oasis, Keb’ Mo’, Marilyn Manson. Many of those artists are still around today, and those songs from 1994 still resonate.

Why was 1994 so great? Look at the artists who had debut...

Why was 1994 so great? Look at the artists who had debut... Photo-4150876.56366 - SFGate

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The Notorious B.I.G. - Ready to Die: This debut album was No. 133 on Rolling Stones list of the 500 all-time greatest albums. Time magazine included it on their list of the 100 all-time greatest albums. (Album cover)

Beastie Boys – “Ill Communication:” Is there a better video than “Sabotage?” That song was on the list of Rolling Stone’s all-time greatest songs, and “Ill Communication” went to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart when it was released in 1994. It also had “Sure Shot” and “Get It Together.” (Album cover)

Weezer - Weezer (The Blue Album): Critics agree this debut album is one of the top records of the 1990s, and in 2002 readers of Rolling Stone ranked the album the 21st greatest of all time. If you're a longtime Seattleite, you may remember that in fall 1994, the band was scheduled for an in-store performance at the Tower Records at Fifth Avenue North and Mercer Street, which is where the QFC is now. They ended up not playing, but stayed around for hours signing autographs and talking with the roughly 350 fans who showed up. Can you imagine if Weezer did that now? The record store would be packed. (Album cover)

Alice in Chains – “Jar of Flies:” Here’s another big 1994 release by a Seattle band. “Jar of Flies” was the first EP to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart, and is still one of the band’s biggest sellers. (Album cover)

Nirvana - MTV Unplugged in New York: The breakout Seattle band released their first album, Bleach, in 1989 and their first major-label record Nevermind in 1991. But this live disc  in which the bucked the Unplugged trend and played almost none of their big songs  is considered by some to be the all-time best Unplugged performance. It also was the bands first official live album. It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart and had sold 5 million copies by 1997. (Album cover)

Nas - Illamatic: This debut album went platinum in the U.S. and gold in Canada, and peaked at No. 2 on the U.S. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Some music critics said its the best or at least one of the best hip hop albums of all time. (Album cover)

Nas - Illamatic: This debut album went platinum in the U.S....

Nas - Illamatic: This debut album went platinum in the U.S.... Photo-4150050.56366 - SFGate

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Blues Traveler – “Four:” This 1994 album was the band’s major-label breakthrough and included the still-catchy “Run-Around” and “Hook.” (Album cover)

Blues Traveler – “Four:” This 1994 album was the band’s...

Blues Traveler – “Four:” This 1994 album was the band’s... Photo-4150051.56366 - SFGate

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OutKast – “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik:” You’ve heard of OutKast, right? Of course you have, or at least their songs. Their debut album was released in 1994 and it peaked at No. 20 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart. (Album cover)

Bone Thurgs-N-Harmony – “Creepin on ah Come Up:” In 1998, The Source picked this as one of the 100 all-time best rap albums. What year was the disc, which included “Thuggish Ruggish Bone” released? Of course it was 1994. (Album cover)

Soundgarden – “Superunknown:” This fourth studio album by the Seattle band included “Spoonman,” “Black Hole Sun,” My Wave,” “The Day I Tried to Live” and “Fell on Black Days.” The 1994 release brought a Best Rock Album Grammy nomination, went platinum five times and was ranked at No. 336 on Rolling Stones 500 all-time greatest albums list. (Album cover)

Oasis – “Definitely Maybe:” This isn’t the one with Wonderwall, but this debut disc is considered the best 1990s albums by the British press and Rolling Stone put it at No. 78 on their list of the 100 best albums of the 1990s. (Album cover)

Green Day – “Dookie:” This 1994 album was so huge it charted in seven countries and has tracks the band is still known for, including “Basket Case,” When I Come Around,” and “Longview.” Rolling Stone put it at No. 193 on its 500 all-time greatest albums list. (Album cover)

Green Day – “Dookie:” This 1994 album was so huge it charted...

Green Day – “Dookie:” This 1994 album was so huge it... Photo-4150057.56366 - SFGate

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Pearl Jam – “Vitology:” The third studio album from the Seattle band was first released on vinyl, and “Spin the Black Circle” was the first single, released as the A-side of a 45. Rolling Stone listed this at No. 485 on their 500 greatest all-time albums list and has gone five-times platinum. For non-Ten Club members, this is the record with “Better Man,” and “Nothingman.” (Album cover)

Pearl Jam – “Vitology:” The third studio album from the...

Pearl Jam – “Vitology:” The third studio album from the... Photo-4150058.56366 - SFGate

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Tom Petty – “Wildflowers:” This 1994 album included “You Don’t Know How It Feels,” “Wildflowers,” and “You Wreck Me.” Remember when MTV played a censored version “You Don’t Know How it Feels” covering up the line “Let’s roll another joint?” (Album cover)

The Beatles - “Live at the BBC:” These tracks had been circulating as bootlegs for decades and most the songs were previously recorded by the band, but this is another one of the album releases that arguably made 1994 the best single year for album releases in the 1990s. (Album cover)

The Beatles - “Live at the BBC:” These tracks had been...

The Beatles - “Live at the BBC:” These tracks had been... Photo-4150061.56366 - SFGate

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Beck – “Mellow Gold:” This was the third studio album form Beck, but his big breakout record, thanks in part to airplay by influential disc jockey Marco Collins on 107.7 The End in Seattle. The disc, which peaked at No. 13 in the United States, begins with “Loser.” (Album cover)

Beck – “Mellow Gold:” This was the third studio album form...

Beck – “Mellow Gold:” This was the third studio album form... Photo-4150062.56366 - SFGate

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Blink-182 – “Cheshire Cat:” This debut album was released on an independent label and it was later releases brought the band major awards, but this record was part of the punk rock breakthrough that eventually led to Blink-182 becoming a household name in the late 1990s. (Album cover)

Live – “Throwing Copper:” The “Lighting Crashes” video was on MTV about ever third song the year after this 1994 album was released, and overall the record has sold more than eight million copies in the U.S. (Album cover)

The Eagles – “Hell Freezes Over:” The band’s first release since their 1980 breakup, this live disc was atop the Billboard album chart for two weeks and – here’s a 90s flashback – was also released on LaserDisc. (Album cover)

Bush – “Sixteen Stone:” If you were in high school when this debut album came out, you probably still remember the words to “Glycerine.” (Album cover)

Bush – “Sixteen Stone:” If you were in high school when this...

Bush – “Sixteen Stone:” If you were in high school when... Photo-4150067.56366 - SFGate

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Portishead – “Dummy:” This debut album was more popular in the United Kingdom, but the trip-hop record is often among best of the 1990s album lists. It peaked at No. 2 on the UK Albums chart. (Album cover)

Portishead – “Dummy:” This debut album was more popular in...

Portishead – “Dummy:” This debut album was more popular in... Photo-4150068.56366 - SFGate

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Cake – “Motorcade of Generosity:” Released in Feb. 1994 on the Capricorn label, this debut album included “Jolene” and “Rock ‘N’ Roll Lifestyle.” (Album cover)

REM – “Monster:” This 1994 album was marked by “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth,” which debuted at No . 1 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. It also was the band’s first release since 1992 and led to their first concert tour since 1989. (Album cover)

REM – “Monster:” This 1994 album was marked by “What’s...

REM – “Monster:” This 1994 album was marked by “What’s... Photo-4150071.56366 - SFGate

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Soul Coughing – “Ruby Vroom:” You probably know them for “Circles” or the intro to “Super Bon Bon,” but the band earned acclaim first with this debut release on Slash/Warner Brothers Records. It included “Screenwriter’s Blues,” “Janine” and started with “Is Chicago, Is Not Chicago.” (Album cover)

The Forest Gump Soundtrack: It also was a great year for movies in 1994 with “Pulp Fiction,” “The Shawshank Redemption,” “Dumb and Dumber,” “Clerks,” “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” The Lion King,” Speed,” and “Forrest Gump.” The “Forrest Gump” soundtrack had dozens of classic American songs and – in the era before CD burners – sold millions of copies. (Album cover)

The Forest Gump Soundtrack: It also was a great year for movies in...

The Forest Gump Soundtrack: It also was a great year for movies... Photo-4150074.56366 - SFGate

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Nine Inch Nails – “The Downward Spiral:” This was the band’s second studio album that included “Closer” and reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart. It has sold more than 4 million copies in the United States. (Album cover)

Toby Keith – “Boomtown:” This 1994 release is the second album from the Ford truck-drivin’, George W. Bush-supportin’ singer, and includes “Big Ol’ Truck.” It also had other hit singles: “Who’s That Man,” “Upstairs Downtown,” and “You Ain’t Much Fun.” (Album cover)

Marilyn Manson – “Portrait of an American Family:” Love him or hate him, Manson has made his mark, and this was his debut full-length studio album. It had three singles and was certified gold nine years after its release. (Album cover)

Tim McGraw – “Not a Moment Too Soon:” This second studio album by the modern country legend included “Indian Outlaw,” and “Don’t Take the Girl.” Chances are if you’re a big-time country fan you know someone who can sing the words to that last ballad, which also hit the pop charts. (Album cover)

Ben Harper – “Welcome to the Cruel World:” This was the 13-track debut album that included “Forever,” “Walk Away,” and “Waiting on an Angel.” It also had a hidden track after the last track, “I’ll Rise.” It didn’t do well on the U.S. charts, but Harper has gained a considerable following here. The record went to No. 11 on the French Albums Chart in 1998. (Album cover)

The Lion King Soundtrack Remember “Hakuna Matata?” How about “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” or “Circle of Life?” The Elton John tracks helped the soundtrack go platinum three times in Eurpoe and the record sold more than 10 million copies in the U.S. (Album cover)

Sonic Youth “Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star:” This was the band’s eighth album, but included one of their biggest hits, “Bull in the Heather.” The record went to No. 13 in the U.S. on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks and hit No. 10 on the UK Albums Chart. (Album cover)

The Offspring – “Smash:” Before “Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)” and “Why Don’t You Get a Job,” The Offspring was getting airplay in 1994 with “Self Esteem” and “Come Out and Play” (Keep ‘Em Separated.) (Album cover)

The Brian Setzer Orchestra – “The Brian Setzer Orchestra:” This was the band’s first official studio release that helped lead to the mid-90s swing craze. This record had a cover of “Route 66” and others - it was a later album that had “Jump Jive and Wail.” (Album cover)

Cranberries - No Need To Argue: This second studio album by the Irish band debuted in 1994 and was another MTV favorite with Zombie. It has sold more than 16 million copies worldwide. (Album cover)

Cranberries - No Need To Argue: This second studio album by...

Cranberries - No Need To Argue: This second studio album by... Photo-4150091.56366 - SFGate

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Garth Brooks – “The Hits:” OK, this was a compilation. But remember: it was 1994 and CD burners weren’t common for another five years at least. This debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart, probably in part because people didn’t want to hassle their old mixed cassette tape. (Album cover)

Selena “Amor Prohibido:” The album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Latin Regional Mexican Albums and Top Latin Albums chart, and went on to sell more than 2 million copies in the United States. Selena was shot to death the in March 1995 at age 23. (Album cover)

Yanni – “Yanni Live at the Acropolis:” I know, I know. But Yanni cleaned house financially in 1994 The video of this performance spent 229 weeks on Billboard’s “Top Music Video” charts and was nominated for an Emmy. The album also sold millions of copies. (Album cover)

Yanni – “Yanni Live at the Acropolis:” I know, I know. But...

Yanni – “Yanni Live at the Acropolis:” I know, I know. But... Photo-4150094.56366 - SFGate

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Da Brat - “Funkdafied:” Not epic - not even close - but so 1990s. (... like Janet, damn it.) The debut album peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart. (Album cover)

Da Brat - “Funkdafied:” Not epic - not even close - but so...

Da Brat - “Funkdafied:” Not epic - not even close - but so... Photo-4150095.56366 - SFGate